About the Migration Agency

In Sweden, the Migration Agency is the authority that considers applications from people who want to take up permanent residence in Sweden, come for a visit, seek protection from persecution or become Swedish citizens.

Swedish residence permits for long-term residents of another EU country

Persons who have lived in an EU country for at least five years with a residence permit may apply for long-term resident status in that country. Persons who are granted long-term resident status receive a special EC/EU residence permit. This gives them certain rights, similar to those of an EU citizen. This makes it easier for them to move to another EU country in order to work, study, start their own business or live on their pension, for example.

If you have previously held long-term resident status in another EU country and now fulfil the requirements for long-term resident status in Sweden, you may apply to transfer the status from the other country to Sweden. Contact the Swedish Migration Agency if you have any questions about how to apply to transfer your status.

Who can be granted long-term residence status?

In order to be granted long-term resident status, you must have lived in an EU country for at least five years with a residence permit. You must also be able to support yourself. To be granted this status, you need to apply for a special EU residence permit. Contact the Migration Agency of the country you currently live in for information about how to apply.

Please note that Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom are not covered by the rules governing long-term resident status. It is not, therefore, possible to apply for long-term resident status in these three countries.

Countries which are covered by the directive on residence permits for long-term residents

Some countries also use the English term for long-term resident status. In which case it will state: Long-term resident – EC on the residence permit card. Please note that there may be other ways of indicating the status than those above.